With a win tonight — their seventh straight — the Nationals would match their longest winning streak since the final week of the 2009 season. And who better to attempt to do that against than their interleague rivals from just up the road? Yes, it's part two of the Battle of the Beltways, and this time there's a little more on the line than in previous years, with both clubs trying to reach the elusive .500 mark.

Jason Marquis returns to the mound tonight after completing his five-game MLB suspension. He's in search of his team-leading eighth victory, and he'll be opposed by rookie left-hander Zach Britton, making his first career appearance against the Nats.

The hottest lineup in baseball — 25 runs scored in three days — is pretty much intact. Only the usual tweakings for a left-handed starter, which means Ian Desmond and Roger Bernadina swap spots and Jerry Hairston starts in left field over Laynce Nix.

I believe this is a huge game for us, maybe one of the biggest of this season so far. All season long, and especially the last 15 games, we've played to the level of our competition. Will we do that again tonight or will we play to the level we've been comnpeting at for the last three weeks?I'll be there cheering them on…GO NATS!

Was at the P-Nats last night. Saw one pitcher who might come along and also a pretty good second baseman. That spot is taken, however. Got back to my car in time to hear Charlie call Danny's walk-off. Will be in my regular seat this evening. This is the same team that was in Baltimore weeks ago–only different! Now let's catch the Mets.

Why is Desmond second and Bernardina ninth in the order? My only rationalization is that Bernardina's hamstring is keeping him from running the bases, but then we have been hearing about Desmond's quad limiting him as well.

This post is in response to the many "submarine horn" comments on the Series Preview post, but I am cross-posting it here since that thread is probably close to petering out.The "submarine horn" is most commonly referred to as a Klaxon by those of us who have served on submarines. Its actual name is the Diving Alarm and it is sounded twice when submerging the submarine (The Chief of the Watch announces "Dive, Dive," sounds two blasts on the Diving Alarm, and then repeats "Dive, Dive"). The other time it is sounded is during an Emergency Surfacing procedure, when the submarine releases high pressure air into the ballast tanks, expelling the water (ballast), and causing the submarine to rapidly ascend to the surface. In this case, it is sounded three times. I believe this is the event the Nats PR staff is trying to evoke. You may remember the USS DALLAS executing an emergency surface in Hunt for Red October (Tim Curry saying the submarine was being scared out of the water). Here's a short video showing what it looks like at the end.The name Klaxon is from the company that made the horns for early automobiles and submarines. The wikipedia article suggests that the name originally came from the ancient Greek word "klazo" which means "shriek." Here's a video of an actual Klaxon being sounded. For those looking to install ringtones, the best .wav file I could find is located here, but it's only two blasts vice three. I have a klaxon I bought off Ebay, installed it in my garage, and use it for a dinner bell when our kids are playing outside. Perhaps I'll start sounding it for home runs and victories when I'm watching the game at home.I love the Nats.My neighbors love me.

Our Pythagorean W-L now stands at 35-34! I guess that's what happens you play a bunch of one-run games and then have a 25-10 series.Fun stats are fun!This past series, the Nats as a team slashed .336/.380/.619 and had 16 XBH including 8(!) HR. To quote our favorite color man, "Stay Hot, Washington Nationals!"

Navy Nats, thanks so much! From what I can see (and recall; one day I'll figure out how and where to look up the stats sine people come up with) Nix does okay these days no matter which hand that ball flies out of. He should always be in the line up.I hope we can tske advantage of the O's falling performance and get another sweep. Go Jayson! Go Nats! Bring us another curlie W!

One thing I'm really looking forward to seeing tonight is Jason Marquis continuing to pitch with the huge chip he's had on his shoulder ever since that BS ejection in SD. Especially as this is his first game back from his BS suspension.I see another one like his CG SO of the Giants coming.JaneB, r u gonna be there tonight?

Steady Eddie, my husband just got a cast put on his leg today so we will see it on TV. Tomorrow, he will have enough juice to wheelchair into the stadium…finally, some in person baseball!Sunshine, gonna check out that site while I wait for Jayson's first 1-2-3 inning of the evening, Thanks!

Hi what is up with FP tonight ….I could care less if Vlaid plays or not ……and BTW FP you mean to tel me you think there are 35K baltimore fans in the stands tonight …..what happen Angelos get to you after the last series ??Sory had to rant

Zim sure looks bad throwing the ball. I think it is just trying new mechanics, not injury, but it doesn't look good.Desmond, on the other hand, continues to be that defensive liability. He had the nerve to range way to the left, spin around and if that wasn't bad enough, chest high throw to Morse. Get rid of the bum.

Quick question, as my wife is asking all sorts of questions, since I am watching tons of Nats games (she is actually becoming a fan!!). Do most of the players have to pay for the bats they use or are they purchased by the team. I always assumed that the players paid for their wood, but i am probably wrong?

Dave! I always assumed that the team pays for them, since they need to players to use them. But you know what they say about when you assume… So, anyone know? And if the players buy their own bats, who pays for the balls?

I guess, if they ever drop Stairs, they can bring somebody up. Right now, Harper and Brown are the only other OF on the 40…one's not ready, and the others not getting it done. I wonder who NatsJack would promote…11 game hitting streak, for The Defensive Liability… Another SB… manufacturing another run.Attaboy, Desi!!!

@ Dave – I am about 80% certain the team pays for the bats. If you're interested in bats, NYTimes.com has had two recent articles you should read — one on the continued epidemic of broken bats and the other on how Carlos Beltran decides which bats to use in games vs. which to use in batting practice.

I read something, a few of years ago, about different types of wood going into bats. The players buy them, and there's a pecking order: I think they said they had to send hundreds of bats to Wade Boggs, so that he could select 20-30 or so… Picky so and so….

Props to Hairston coming through tonight. I know there are a lot of haters out there but the fact is he did a good job filling in for Zim. You can't expect to replace a silver slugger/gold glover with a carbon copy, so his defense and somewhat decent hitting is commendable considering the circumstances. Does he deserve to start as much as he does now? probably not, but good for him for contributing

All of us together on this site, this blog and as National fans should be on the doorsteps of MASN protesting these spit telecasts.Sorry but they are so Orioles bias, with O's promos, O's announcers and basically the look and feel of a O's game.Sorry you don't see this in New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco. It's a way to save money on MASN and we shouldn't allow this.Mark a question to you, does Nationals management like this???Do they like to be shortchanged by coverage that shows bias toward the Orioles on a Nationals Home game.For those on this site, any suggestions on whole do we protest too? We can't allow this to happen any more

Dave said… Quick question, as my wife is asking all sorts of questions, since I am watching tons of Nats games (she is actually becoming a fan!!). Do most of the players have to pay for the bats they use or are they purchased by the team. I always assumed that the players paid for their wood, but i am probably wrong? June 17, 2011 8:50 PM ——————————–The short answer is the team generally pays for the bats. The more complicated answer is that some players like Barry Bonds paid for their own bats so he could definitively take each bat with him from the stadium.

Golfersal, I agree with you. I don't like mixing the broadcasters and having to tiptoe around afraid of offending the other team. I like my Nats broadcasters backing the Nats all the way!!! The O's, in this case, are the enemy…take no prisoners.

Guys, there is a MASN Network and a MASN 2.Why can't the Nats have there own telecast.I miss Bob Carpenter, this is our home game.Mark, we need help on this and have to ask some Nats management why they allow this to happen.Any suggestions from other posters????

My suggestion is to listen to Charlie and Dave. Unfortunately the synch with the action on TV is a little early from the radio but it sure beats listening to the stuff the Oriole announcers are putting out there. One of the biggest jokes was one game, the O's were getting killed by the Yankees but they do this "player of the game" vote and even though it was like 11-2 an O (can't remember his name) won that poll. I seem to remember that this was one of many consessions given to Angelos when there was still doubt about whether we would even get a franchise.I am thinking with an 11 game hitting streak, two hits, two stolen bases and several nice plays in the field our defensive liability has earned at least another start or two. I guess everyone here realizes as soon as he goes into a slump the neganons will jump out of the woods to demand a trade or sending him back to the minors so we can play Bixler or Cora. My Red Hat is getting a little sweaty but it looks like it will be on tomorrow at the Park as we get set to win our 8th in a row. Hope grandstander is comfortable in his same seat.go Nats!!

Toasted O's for breakfast. Yeah, baby!Re. the broadcast, yeah, it's pretty annoying. I was ready to put out an APB on Bob around the 6th, but then they finally let him back in the booth. Actually, I must say that I think FP and Mike are kinda funny together. I liked when Mike said he saw FP do a headfirst slide through the lunch room after FP had been talking about how he missed getting his uni dirty.

Oh, and props to JerHair, Desi, Burney, and Mattheus. I was going to vote in the Player of the Game poll but I got confused and instead was trying to figure just out when Guerrero had joined the Nats. AFLAC?

Get ready for Mattheus, he is an elite pitcher with a great repertoirewho never panics dies not get flustered. Yep he could be competition for any reliever including Drew Storen. Give Rizzo kudos for thisguy.

Darn it!! Fell asleep, after Burnett's AB!!! Another great win, Attaboy, Desi!! Jr's bat was money,, tonite, but I'm still looking forward to another OF, when we get rid of Stairs… Who do you bring up, NatsJack? Definitely shorthanded out there, since Beast went to 1st…And… How long does the *#%^+€ MASN deal last? Could MLB have put this team any further behind the 8 ball, in transitioning from Montreal? God Bless the Learners, for jumping in, anyway!!! I just couldnt hate Angelos any more if he stepped on my ice cream sandwich!!!!!

Unkyd; in case you forgot, Ankiel is still on the 25 man roster and no one was sent down or cut when R Zimm returned. As of right now, there are 25 men on the active roster and only 4 of them are starting pitchers. So this Sunday when Gorzelanny is activated to pitch that day, somebody will need to be DFA or Ankiel will have to go on the DL. If they don't put Ankiel on the DL, it will probably come down to either Stairs or Bixler (has options). My guess is that Stairs stays (I perish that thought) since there a six games at the end of this month played in AL parks and Stairs would be the likely DH. Their best alternative is if they really insist on making Stairs the DH (I perish that thought), is to put Ankiel on the DL and that would take them through the Inter league games and then DFA Stairs when Ankiel returns. So to answer your question, no one comes up from the minors unless they cut Stairs and Ankiel.Here is also an item of intrigue. In about 10 days or so Kimball is due back from the DL. Does Collin Balester get sent back down or will Coffey be traded to the Rangers per the rumors going around?

I DID forget, Neal! Thanks… Hmmm… Let's see…. Gorzy up on Sunday, DL Ankiel (or send Bix down, if Ankiels ready to play), then let Stairs go in a couple of weeks… THEN bring up an OF. Dropping Stairs clears a space on the 40 man… that's what I'm tryna facilitate, here… make someone, other than Harper or Brown available to call up.Still haven't had any Joe, yet… Did that make any sense?

Again, I heave a sigh when Stairs is anointed as the DH. There ARE at least 4 or 5 better alternatives on the bench, not counting Marquis.There must be some tactical reason Matt is still around, apart from the fact that he's a very nice guy personally. Hmmm, maybe that's IT.